Black and White Fur-Ball: Kittens, cats, dogs, puppies, bunnies and other critters of all colors, shapes, sizes and ages will be up for adoption, 1-5 p.m. Oct. 13. Hayward Animal Shelter, 16 Barnes Court, Hayward. Sponsored by the Hayward Animal Shelter Volunteers. Bonuses of 30 free spay/neuter vouchers to Hayward residents, two per household. First come, first served. The adoption fee on all black, white, and black-and-white pets will be $20; adopt one pet of any other color combination and the second pet is $20.

Night Watchers: Discover how owls maneuver through the dark to find a mate and their prey. Venture into their wild habitat and meet some native Bay Area owls up close. For adults only. 6-8 p.m. Oct. 13. Sulphur Creek Nature Center, 1801 D St., Hayward. $18. To register, call 510-881-6700 or visit www.haywardrec.org.

Fall for our Wildlife: The Lindsay Wildlife Museum presents a special evening to benefit the museum’s wildlife programs, educational programs and hospital. Festivities include a cocktail reception with live music, silent and live auction, gourmet dinner, dancing and more. The evening’s special honoree is Gary Bogue, pet and wildlife columnist who recently retired from the Contra Costa Times. 6 p.m.-midnight Oct. 13. Round Hill Country Club, 3169 Round Hill, Alamo. $200. www.wildlife-museum.org/gala.

Black Cat Ball: Friends of Animal Services present its Black Cat Ball at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 20, at the Lone Tree Golf and Events Center, 4800 Golf Course Road, Antioch. The annual event will have dinner, dancing, raffle and a costume contest. Costumes optional. The cost is $65 for adults, $35 for children 13 and younger. All proceeds benefit the animals at the Antioch Animal Shelter. 925-431-8318, 925-754-2923.

Beginning Bird-watching: This introduction to bird-watching will show you the best places to find birds, how to identify them and familiarize you with the tools needed such as binoculars and scopes. Lectures: Wednesdays 7—8 p.m., Oct. 17—Nov. 7. Field trips: Weekends 9 a.m. Oct. 20—Nov. 10. Golden Gate Audubon

Help homeless animals: That’s Amore, Tri-Valley Animal Rescue’s annual dinner and auction will take place from 6-10 p.m. Nov. 3 at the Castlewood Country Club, 707 Country Club Circle, Pleasanton. Tickets are $75 and include appetizers, dinner buffet, dessert, coffee and auctions. Purchase tickets at www.tvar.org.

V-I-Peek programs: New programs at the Lindsay Wildlife Museum offer a behind-the-scenes opportunity to see what it’s like to work with their unique collection of animals. Eagle Encounter: Learn from eagle handlers what it’s like to work with these birds, help prepare a meal and get premium seating for the exhibit hall presentation of Raptors! Keeper Experience: Meet resident animal ambassadors (reptile, bird and mammal) up close and personal and help animal keepers prepare meals, create enrichment activities and assist with a public presentation. Space is limited. Participants must be 10 years or older and advanced registration is required. $175 per person; $150 members. $275 per guardian/child combination; $250 members. 925-935-1978, www.wildlife-museum.org.

Rabbit Adoption: The Peninsula Humane Society and the SPCA host “Get Your Hands On Our Buns,” rabbit adoption extravaganza. From noon-4 p.m. Oct. 6-7 only, the shelter will reduce adoption fees from $40 to $20, which includes a spay/neuter surgery. Those adopting will also receive a ten percent discount on rabbit starter kits and cages from the on-site retail store. Staff and volunteer rabbit experts will be available to answer questions about rabbit care and behavior. To see some of the rabbits available for adoption, visit www.phs-spca.org.

Wildlife Fest: Meet Zorro, the Turkey Vulture and some of his animal entourage plus their human handlers at this barbecue and auction fundraiser for the Wildlife Education and Rehabilitation Center. In addition to the barbecue the event will have personal raptor handling lessons, original artwork, handmade jewelry and more. Noon-3 p.m. Oct. 20. Morgan Hill Buddhist Community Center, 16450 Murphy Ave. $40 adults, $10 ages 5-12, free for age 4 and younger. Purchase tickets by Oct. 17. 408-779-9372, www.werc-ca.org.

Dog Adoption Showcase: Pet and play with dogs of all sizes and breeds and get “insiders information” from foster parents who are currently taking care of them in their homes. Noon-2 p.m. Saturdays through Dec. 29. Humane Society Silicon Valley, 901 Ames Ave., Milpitas. 408-262-2133, ext. 150. See available dogs at www.hssv.org.

Dog Book Reading Club: Do you love dogs? Want to learn more about their behavior, training, learning, body language, and using positive training methods? The Humane Society Silicon Valley Dog Book Reading Club meets from 2-4 p.m. fourth Sundays monthly to discuss a different book. 901 Ames Ave., Milpitas. Free. 408-262-2133, www.hssv.org.

Pet Loss Support Group: This group is for anyone who has experienced the loss of a pet or anticipates one. 6:30-7:30 p.m. first Tuesdays monthly, through Dec. 4. Humane Society Silicon Valley, 901 Ames Ave., Milpitas. Free. 408-262-2133, ext. 178, www.hssv.org.

Gray Lodge Wildlife Area Guided Wetlands Tours: A wildlife naturalist will lead a group (minimum of 18 people) through the diverse wetlands of the Gray Lodge Wildlife Area. Learn wildlife identification and behavior patterns, conservations efforts and more. The experience can be customized to include requested information, along a half-mile walking route. For information and scheduling, call 530-846-7505 or email ldieter@dfg.ca.gov. www.dfg.ca.gov/lands/wa/region2/graylodge/index.html.

Elkhorn Slough Ecological Reserve docent-led walks: 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Binoculars and bird books available to borrow at no cost. Visitor Center and main overlook are fully accessible. Day use is $4.32 per person, ages 16 and older. Groups of 10 or more should schedule a separate tour. www.dfg.ca.gov/lands/er/region4/elkhorn.html.

“The East Bay Times is honored for its relentless efforts to obtain police body camera videos, inspection data, and other public records in the wake of the deadly Ghost Ship fire,” the Northern California Society of Professional Journalists announced Wednesday.